New environmentally-friendly football shirts made from recycled plastic have been launched by adidas and Parley for the Oceans.
The adidas x Parley Real Madrid and Bayern Munich home jerseys are made from Parley Ocean Plastic and water-based environmentally friendly prints.
The all-white Real Madrid and all-red Bayern Munich kits feature the club logo, three stripes and sponsors’ logos in the same colour as the kit for a unique look.
The Ocean Plastic used in the jerseys is created from up-cycled marine plastic pollution intercepted by Parley clean-up operations in coastal areas of the Maldives.
To reflect the jersey’s unique story and Parley’s commitment to the oceans, both club and sponsors agreed not to have the logo visible in order to make the shirt as sustainable as possible.
The one-off kit design also features mesh inserts on the inside of sleeves for improved ventilation, a back-neck tape with the message “For the oceans” and an adidas x Parley loop label with an integrated NFC chip to offer fans further information on the partnership.
Real Madrid defender, Marcelo, said: “The Ocean is a place I hold close to my heart after growing up in Rio de Janeiro and I have fond memories of playing on the beach when I was a kid. It’s amazing to be part of this project and to know that the club I love is making a difference in helping to keep the oceans clean.”
Xabi Alonso, Bayern Munich midfielder, said: “It’s an honour to go on this journey with adidas and to have the opportunity to wear the adidas x Parley kit on-pitch for the first time. With every second breath we take coming from our oceans, it’s really important that we do what we can do safeguard them. Wearing a kit that is made from recyclable ocean waste is something I’m very happy about as it’s a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about the need to protect and preserve our oceans. I know this is the start of something very special.”
As a founding member, adidas supports Parley for the Oceans in its education and communication programmes, as well as its comprehensive Ocean Plastic Program that intends to end plastic pollution of the oceans though the three pillars of the Parley A.I.R. Strategy: Avoid, Intercept and Redesign.
Additionally, adidas and Parley collaborate to turn ocean waste into high-performance apparel by converting up-cycled marine plastic debris into technical yarn fibres.
For more information about the partnership and products, sign-up on www.adidas.com/parley
